Debbie Campbell to Lead Panel at National Affordable Housing Conference

Salisbury City Councilwoman Deborah Campbell will lead a panel discussion on “green” development at a national affordable housing conference that starts tomorrow in Washington, DC . The green development panel will discuss how a new emphasis on sustainability is changing the face of affordable housing.

Campbell, the director of Special Projects for Neighborhood Housing Services of America (NHSA) and a Salisbury city council member, will moderate the panel of community reinvestment practitioners at the National Association of Affordable Housing Lenders’ (NAAHL) 2008 Washington , DC Conference, which is taking place Tuesday and Wednesday at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel.

Campbell, a member of NAAHL’s inaugural Leadership Forum, a group of emerging leaders in the field of community reinvestment and affordable housing lending and investment, said “It is a privilege to work with such a talented group of professionals on cutting edge issues that are important to the future of Maryland and the nation.”

The green development panel will also feature other Leadership Forum members, including Mike Bielawa , vice president of the Community Investment Corporation; Brian Segel, vice president of the Community Development Department of HSBC Bank; and Bill Thompson, director of finance for the Massachusetts Housing Investment Corporation.

Campbell, a Salisbury native, has worked in the field of affordable housing and neighborhood revitalization for nearly 15 years.

cross posted at Delmarva Dealings

Technorati Tags: Maryland, Salisbury, politics, Salisbury politics, Debbie Campbell, affordable housing

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The Bank Didn't Fail

One of the most disturbing, albeit low dollar, offenses uncovered in the Salisbury audit was the placement of taxpayer funds in uninsured or uncollateralized accounts. At last Thursday's council work session a question was raised by Councilwoman Debbie Campbell regarding this matter.

The response by city finance chief Pam Oland was more disturbing than the offense. Year after year, the audit has clearly stated that it is against the law to deposit city (taxpayer) funds in bank accounts that are either not insured or otherwise protected through collateral. This point has been made to Ms. Oland on multiple occasions by Campbell since Oland assumed her post at the Department of Internal Services.

Last Thursday Ms. Oland pointed out that yes, this did occur again. However, the funds spoken of in this year's audit were different funds than those from last year. In other words, Ms. Oland took care of the problem from the previous audit, but then turned around and did the same thing all over again.

According to Oland, this wasn't really important anyway. It's only $178,000 and the "bank didn't fail". Try that one again!

When a bank fails, it's simply too late. To compound the error, the solution is as simple as picking up a phone. Large banks are geared up to provide additional assurance through non-FDIC insurance above the current limits or to post collateral. Many smaller banks participate in a program called CDARS.

I don't know who the city banks with. Let's assume for a moment that the uninsured funds are with Barrie Tilghman's favorite bank, the Bank of Delmarva. I know that many out there would want to claim some criminal conspiracy. In fact, leaving uninsured taxpayer funds in the Bank of Delmarva would be a pure act of laziness. Oland would merely need to pick up the phone and tell them that they wanted every dollar above the FDIC limit put in short term CDARS.

This issue goes right to the heart of another question asked to both Oland and City Administrator John Pick - Is it important to obey the law? Of course they both responded that it was. They just can't be bothered with doing it in practice.

cross posted at Delmarva Dealings

Technorati Tags: Maryland, Salisbury, politics, Salisbury politics, audit, Barrie Tilghman, Pam Oland, Debbie Campbell

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Congressional Candidate Andy Harris

Dear Friends,

I have enjoyed meeting so many of you during the last nine months of the campaign. Now this Primary campaign is coming to a close tomorrow, February 12, 2008. I hope each of you will go to the polls tomorrow and cast your ballots for me.

As I have traveled throughout the district, I have learned that the Republican voters in the first district want conservative leadership. They are tired of Washington politicians who spend their frivilously spend their money and raise their taxes. They are tired of politicians who are not committed to sealing our borders and ending illegal immigration. They are tired of politicians who are not committed to winning the Global War on Terror.

This election, I am giving voters an alternative. I will vote against every tax increase. I will oppose all wasteful government spending. I will vote to secure our borders and end illegal immigration. I will fight to win the Global War on Terror.

Voters have a choice between Wayne Gilchrest, a liberal politician who has become part of Washington; or me Andy Harris, a consistent conservative who will take principled stances to return our party to its Reagan roots. I believe the choice is clear and I am confident we will be victorious on Election Day.

Nine months ago I began my campaign saying we sent Wayne to change Washington, but sadly Washington changed Wayne. Tomorrow we can change congressman.

Don't forget to take your friends and family with you when you go to vote.

God Bless,


Andy

A Military Mom Reaches Out

Please remember our military men & women, who are still on the front lines, when you cast your vote tomorrow.

Please remember those, like Wayne Gilchrest, who voted against them, while in the midst of battle to safegaurd our freedoms and serve their country.

Please remember those, like Wayne Gilchrest, who were sipping tea with the Iranians while their ied's were blowing up our convoys.

As a military mom, whose son lived through the horror of an IED explosion, I humbly ask you to vote the rascals out.

Please cast your vote for those who will support our military & give them what they need to accomplish their mission proudly & decisively.

God Bless our Troops & God Bless America.

Proud Military Mom.

Some More Scary Info Regarding the Salisbury City Audit

I could write for a month and still not fully discuss all of the dirt uncovered by Salisbury's auditors. One of the subsets of information that disturbs me the most are comments from the city's auditors themselves - Trice, Geary and Meyers.

At last Thursday's work session auditor Herb Geary commented regarding the misplaced $10.2 million that this was basically much ado about nothing. "Maybe I shouldn't have mentioned it." Maybe the city council should appoint another auditing firm!

In their zeal to protect a lucrative contract, it seems that the auditors just couldn't criticize the Tilghman administration publicly. IF all of the items cited in the audit and in the auditor's letters were so insignificant, why mention them at all? The answer is a simple one. They are significant and Geary could face litigation (or worse) by failing to do so. It just seems that the auditors resent having to show up and explain the actions of their client.

Another related concern was a comment by one of Trice, Geary's people (not Herb Geary) that was heard outside of the council chambers. The gist of the comment was, "This is why the audit should be for the Mayor and Council only. The public just isn't smart enough to understand it".

That's right folks, you're too stupid to understand the information and the problem. Personally, I'd be willing to compare the intelligence of every member of the public attending Thursday's meeting against the Mayor and several members of the Council.

For the gentleman from Trice Geary, here's the bottom line:

We do understand that you are only expressing an opinion on the financial statements in your audit opinion. We do understand that when you give an unqualified opinion you are stating that those (and only those) numbers are correct to the best of your knowledge. We also understand what you refused to explicitly state - those numbers would not have been valid if you hadn't done a great deal of work for the city's Finance Department that was THEIR RESPONSIBILITY. We also understand that there was a cost to the taxpayer, both financially and in the confidence they have in their city government, for having you do that work.

We also understand that Mayor Barrie Tilghman, City Administrator John Pick, and DIS head Pam Oland have repeatedly and deliberately deceived both the public and their elected representatives on the city council. We accept the fact that Ms. Oland may need more staff. What we will never accept are the excuses given by the auditors for the disgraceful performance of the Salisbury finance department. Do not excuse poor performance by claiming that Ms. Oland is overworked because of her additional responsibilities for procurement (or future responsibilities for HR). Oland accepted those responsibilities. Tilghman is the one who demanded that procurement be placed under a new department of Internal Services. Whenever pressed on the issue Tilghman, Pick and Oland all would state that the problems cited in last year's audit were being remedied. This obviously was not the case.

Contrary to what the folks at Trice, Geary may believe, the public is not a mound of mushrooms. They (the auditors) should be ashamed for thinking it, much less stating it aloud.

cross posted at Delmarva Dealings

Technorati Tags: Maryland, Salisbury, politics, Salisbury politics, Herb Geary, Barrie Tilghman, Pam Oland, John Pick, audit

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Sperm Bank

You can't tell me Chris Farley didn't leave something behind?????????

House Calls

Talk about a "Back In The Day" phrase! Check it out, a Vet that will come to your home or business to care for one of your animals. Sounds convenient and it sounds like they're hungry enough to earn your business. I personally do not know about their bed side manner but perhaps someone who has used their services can fill us in?

Senator Rich Colburn Turns 58

Soon after the Lincoln Dinner the other night, a group of us got together at Chef Freds to celebrate Senator Rich Colburns 58th Birthday. Not only is Rich a great guy, he's all business when it comes to his work. The smiles come off his face and he's all about business in Annapolis.

Happy Birthday Rich, may you enjoy many more to come.

The Fire In Vienna

As I was headings West on Rt 50 yesterday there was a huge fire in the distance. Does anyone know what was going on?

Michelle Obama At UMES At 11:30 AM Today

Sadly, I cannot be here at this event today, nor can I make the two events in College Park and Baltimore where Obama will be present.

I wish I had more time this morning to express my feelings towards Obama but I am restricted in time this morning and I'll have to do so later this evening. Try to make this event today Folks. It could be a once in a lifetime thing?

The Obama Camp Comes To Cambridge

With more than a thousand people packing the inside of the Sailwinds in Cambridge, the atmosphere was positive and exciting. I found myself shaking hands with people I knew everywhere I turned.

I didn't necessarily like coming to the front doors and a gentleman was insisting everyone pay a dollar to get in, then he'd say it was a donation. Bumper Stickers were $2.00 each. Heck, we make those damn things at the last minute and they're $ .75 cents each. I can get them in volume for $ .35 cents a piece. I thought the idea was to get the message out, not make a buck while you're at it? Oh well, to each his own, I guess?

I will post another article about Obama's Wife coming to town tonight at UMES later.

DO NOTE: The Daily Times was not present for this event either. Perhaps they'll print something from a Press Release, I don't know? Are you getting what you pay for Ladies & Gentlemen!

MML Wants To Raise Taxes!

As usual when the Maryland General Assembly is in session the "MML" is trying
to pick our pockets.

Delegate Kumar Barve has agreed to act as MML's lead sponsor for legislation to
permit municipalities to impose a maximum 0.5% transfer tax on properties
transferred within municipal borders. The legislation will require that one-
half of the monies raised must be used for growth-related infrastructure such
as roads, streets, water and wastewater facilities, emergency and public safety
services, etc. The League is finalizing a sponsor in the Senate and will be
working with a sub-committee of the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee
chaired by Senator James Robey to identify additional sources of municipal
revenues. It is anticipated that this legislation will be included in the
possible new sources of municipal revenues, along with other options such as a
hotel/motel tax and a building excise tax.

[Source: MML Bulletin, current issue]

Gary Comegys is a member of the MML's Board of Directors.